L300 Overlanding - long journey outside of NA. Parts list

[jessef]

For a long trip like driving to south america and further, I would do the following plus more for an L300:

(more for the list I promised Felix )

Before you leave change out the following with new parts (unless done recently) :

1. brake rotors / pads / calipers - rear drums / shoes / cylinders
2. all wheel bearings / seals
3. CV boots (repack CV's)
4. upper/lower balljoints, inner/outer tie rods with new boots
5. cooling system
6. oil change / timing set
7. injectors rebuilt / set
8. fresh glow plugs and install a separate (on/off switchable) manual system to bypass a failed ECU in the future
9. a pair of DOT enclosed headlight/signal lights (on the bullbar) on a it's own 12V source - switch in the cab (in case your main switch/headlights fail) and a set of red brake lights you can put in the rear window (same things - it's own 12V source/switch)
10. all the typical maintenance stuff and probable more I'm forgetting


What I would take with me a spare parts :

1. lots of fuel filters and oil filters
2. fuses/cables/zap straps, etc.. for electrical issues
3. new starter motor
4. front rotors, pads, set of calipers and two each wheel bearings (you need brakes and will fry them on the steeps of Chile or somewhere)
5. freshly rebuild used injectors + a spare set of washers for the injectors inside the van
6. manual or auto extra set of hubs
7. u-joints f/r driveshafts
8. CV boot kits
9. inner/outer tie rod/upper/lower balljoints (you have lifted rig - harder on those components)
10. Alternator *note

*I would personally do away with the stock alternator-oil pump setup. It's a pain to work on and you may not be able to find parts for it. Instead, invest in an electric vacuum pump and a generic higher amperage alternator that you can swap out anywhere on this planet with many. See here : http://www.delica.ca/forum/100-amp-alte ... g-429.html

Build a good small metal box, water/dust proof it and put in foam with all your spare parts under the chassis.

[thedjjack]

I would take a TOYOTA .....just kidding!

[fexlboi]

Are you talking to me?

Thanks for the list! Just need to be careful not to bring too much stuff or I also need to bring a trailer as well :)

[nxski]

You could always go with a basket and 2 roof boxes

[thedjjack]

You could always go with a basket and 2 roof boxes

Unless it is windy outside and it turtles!

[jessef]

Hey ! Turtle is my favorite L300

[nxski]

You could always go with a basket and 2 roof boxes

Unless it is windy outside and it turtles!

I drove mine in 100km/h winds the other day and apart from having trouble staying in the lane it was perfectly fine. You're one to talk though mr. tall roof Are you going to design it so you can have a rack on top or is that something that just doesn't interest you?

[thedjjack]

No Rack up top...to high.

Fibreglass roof currently weighs under 100lbs (and I am cutting it down)....will not raise my centre of gravity but it will increase the sail area.

I have a set of air bags I am going to add to the back axle and then if it blows around alot in side winds maybe add a second sway bar (see if it needs it).

I have been blown around with my 19 foot canoe on pretty good (canoe is moving to a trailer).

[nxski]

The trailer route sounds good. The only reason I went with boxes and baskets was for parking reasons. I liked the L300 over the 400 mainly because of appearance and ease of parking so pulling a trailer would defeat the purpose for what I'm doing. It does blow around a lot though, but nothing uncontrollable.

[thedjjack]

Trailer will only be for the canoe.

You can pull a trailer off road no problem...just need the right hitch.

[Yokohama]

You missed a few like: NOT DRIVING THOUGH MEXICO! People driving though Mexico have started to be abducted and murdered. I have heard that western missionary groups that work down there, especially near the border, travel in unmarked vehicles and have escorts to protect them.

There is also the FARC in Columbia. These guys LOVE to abduct people and hold them for periods ranging into the years. Imagine being strapped to a tree for years!

Of course, there are areas where as long as you pay off the local thugs, it is no problem.

I wonder if you can carry weapons as a foreigner in most South American countries.

[jessef]

You missed a few like: NOT DRIVING THOUGH MEXICO! People driving though Mexico have started to be abducted and murdered. I have heard that western missionary groups that work down there, especially near the border, travel in unmarked vehicles and have escorts to protect them.

There is also the FARC in Columbia. These guys LOVE to abduct people and hold them for periods ranging into the years. Imagine being strapped to a tree for years!

Of course, there are areas where as long as you pay off the local thugs, it is no problem.

I wonder if you can carry weapons as a foreigner in most South American countries.

You've been reading FOX or CNN too much buddy. Armchair posts like these are what keeps the flow of naive stories flowing on the internet.

The people that you read/hear about are either a) involved with drugs b) carrying firearms or c) arrogantly flashing their money and toys around in 3rd world countries (a & b are illegal by the way and will get you in trouble)

Over 20 years of going to and fro central america with my family and south america with friends. Never once did I ever hear of or encounter anyone visiting or living in CA/SA about being abducted or murdered.

It's very simple. Travel well informed and know the language of the country you are visiting and stay out of trouble. You do those things and you are usually safer than here at home being hit by a car or a flying cup of coffee.

[Yokohama]

Well, that is the information I got from a church group that had been down there near the boarder. That is what they did.

[jessef]

Two things :

information I got and near the border. Common sense dictates to avoid border towns especially between US/Mexico due to the heavy corruption and drug trafficking.

Go past the border and it's all good depending on what you do and how you act.

[fexlboi]

People driving though Mexico have started to be abducted and murdered.

The same happened to people in New York City. I also heard of people getting killed by a bear. Sometime people get even murdered in their own backyard.
Just don't do stupid stuff, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.